Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

When does flu symptoms warrant an A&E trip?

15 replies

Idotry · 21/02/2013 18:22

My great, strapping husband is delirious (literally hallucinating) in bed with a fever which I'm assuming is flu. Symptoms started yesterday with sneezing, snotty nose then eventually transformed to a quivering wreck. He's been eating Beechams/painkillers like sweets and has lost count with the amount taken. He's to weak to go to the loo or walk anywhere and although he's not coughing the stomach hurts terribly when he does. It's the fever and delirium that's frightening me.
At what stage does one take their lump to the hospital. He's on medication for high blood pressure and has sleep apnea. Although a lump he is not obese more just well built.

OP posts:

Report

magso · 21/02/2013 18:48

Perhaps ring NHS direct for advice?

Meganlillymai · 21/02/2013 18:51

He has to high of a fever maybe ring ur local cue doc for the best answers. Hope all is well.

WhereMyMilk · 21/02/2013 18:52

Ring OOH and request a home visit.

ShatnersBassoon · 21/02/2013 18:53

NHS Direct. Let them make the A&E decision for you.

cravingcake · 21/02/2013 18:53

If nothing else I would definitely call the NHS Direct. If he's lost count of the amount of pain killers he's had then he may have had too many and that is what is making him more delirious than just the fever. Is there any way you can check the pack and take a rough guess. Overdose of painkillers can be serious, even if he is well built.

You are worried enough to post so I would say that's worried enough to seek proper medical advice.

I would say if in doubt take him to A&E with help from neighbour/relative to physically get him into the car but at least call a doctor or out of hours etc.

AngryFeet · 21/02/2013 18:54

Fever and delirium are pretty standard with the flu. Just get his temp down with paracetemol and cold clothes and he will be fine eventually. If he is struggling to breath or his heart is racing then call NHS direct.

AngryFeet · 21/02/2013 18:55

Oh sorry missed the beechams thing. Yes that is worrying you should call NHS direct as overdosing on them is easily done and very dangerous potentially.

AngryFeet · 21/02/2013 18:56

I don't think taking him to A&E in that state is a good idea - can't you call your GP OOH service?

BeaWheesht · 21/02/2013 19:11

You need to get him seen and probably he will need blood tests.

I messed up my paracetamol and took 2 lots 2 hours apart a luckily that's all I'd had - the GP really hammered it home if I'd had more than the 8 in 24 hours as recommended i would have needed blood tests. Please do not mess around with paracetamol it can be extremely damaging in relatively small doses and symptoms would not be immediate.

lljkk · 21/02/2013 19:34

High fever = get the OOH doctor out NOW.

I went to hospital with fever of 40.9. No hallucinations just the odd bout of rigors and that was bad enough.

LargeGlassofRed · 21/02/2013 20:22

4 of my house have had awful flu this week, the twin little ones have had bad temps and delirium, but not Dh or dd1.
I would worry if it was DH with delirium and fever, out if hour gp might be best to try first.

batfuttocks · 21/02/2013 20:27

How do you know it's flu? Lots of systemic infection (abscesses, appendicitis, kidney infections etc) give you high fever and aches. If he is that unwell, see the ooh GP. Potentially take him to the ooh centre so that if he needs admitting or and X-ray or bloods you are in the right place.

Idotry · 21/02/2013 22:20

Thank you all so much for taking the timeout to reply - I typed up a long message, half way through my iPad goes flat but in short DH has perked up after asking DS to grab him some neurofen from the kitchen cupboard. He's asking for cheese on toast and realises he doesn't need ladders to reach the bathroom (aka delirium). If the temperature goes off the rails again I'll be sure to call the OOH Doctor as no more painkillers can be taken! 10 so far in 13 hours.
Assuming its flu because off the blocked nose and sneezing.

OP posts:

timidviper · 21/02/2013 22:27

I hope the 10 painkillers are a mixture of Nurofen and Paracetamol because 10 of either kind is too many. Tell your DH to be sensible with medication, they are not sweeties or to be taken as such.

nowwearefour · 21/02/2013 22:32

My dad had what my mum thought was flu with all the symptoms you describe. It was meningitis. Pls seek help.

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.